Thoughts Along the Way

Free Will

The critique that in Reformed theology there is no free will is a great misunderstanding. Chapter IX of the Westminster Confession of Faith is entitled “Of Free Will”. Usually this misunderstanding is based off a different definition or lack of understanding of how free will/freedom is defined in Reformed theology. Therefore in the beginning we … Continue reading Free Choice in Reformed Theology

When we discuss Calvinism and the question of “free will” comes about, it is helpful to break things down for the sake of clarity. It may be helpful to start with human action and move backwards to consider what determines a person’s action. The point of this post is to demonstrate what the root of … Continue reading The Root of Free Will

Reading through John Frame's Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief. I was reading through his section on Human Responsibility and Freedom. In this section he has a section that critiques libertarianism. He has 15 points which I think are helpful. He begins with R.K. McGregor Wright's definition of libertarianism (No Place for Sovereignty pp 43-44) : … Continue reading John Frame: Critique of Libertarianism

In this last post, I end the discussion of proving the doctrine of inability. We can prove the doctrine of the inability of man is by discussing the work of regeneration. This is not a work where man is able to regenerate himself. This is not a work where man can make a decision to … Continue reading Is Calvinism Cosmic Determinism? Part 8

This post discusses briefly Reformed anthropology. Reformed anthropology is a critical part of understanding Free Will. Reformed anthropology is derived from the Scriptures that makes it clear that the unregenerate man’s state is one of spiritual blindness, darkness or death: “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the … Continue reading Is Calvinism Cosmic Determinism? Part 7

What is meant by liberty? Hodge, “By liberty we mean the inalienable prerogative of the human soul of exercising volition as it pleases. In this sense man is as free now as before the fall.” Understand an important point what something has changed in the Fall but it wasn’t freedom or agency. It was ability. … Continue reading Is Calvinism Cosmic Determinism? Part 6

Reformed theology in contrasts with Romanism has always maintained that Adam in his created state was made righteous. Holy. He was able not to sin and able to sin. He was not created glorified. He was created able to obey or disobey. He was created liable and susceptible to external temptation. While Adam was created … Continue reading Is Calvinism Cosmic Determinism? Part 5